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Your Observer

    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 23, 2019
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Helping out with medical calls

Police reports from around the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Brooke McDerment looks at her third grade daughter Celia's zootopia she made in class during a student-led conference. Celia McDerment dedicated the zootopia to her mother.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 23, 2019
Bashaw Elementary students take the lead in conferences

Bashaw Elementary School student-led conferences allow students to take ownership of their work

  • East County
  • News
Juniors Mikayla Stokes and Brianna Noon and seniors Lucy Crank and Angelina Ortiz practice playing together as a quartet. With different schedules, finding times to practice can be difficult.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 23, 2019
Lakewood Ranch High School quartet sets tone for orchestra

Quartet performs in East County to promote Lakewood Ranch High School orchestra program

  • East County
  • News
Dick Vitale, Ava Krug, Sydney Sforzo, Connor Krug, Ryan Sforzo and Jake Krug. Photo courtesy Dick Vitale.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 23, 2019
Practice time just dandy for Dick Vitale to watch his family

The Hall of Famer talks his grandkids ahead of his annual college tennis tournament.

  • East County
  • Sports
Abby Simpson. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 23, 2019
McNeal Elementary student spreads the love

McNeal Elementary student spreads the love through goodie bags

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells said the Sheriff's Office is working to address the community's needs, and understands people are frustrated with traffic, in particular.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 23, 2019
Manatee County Sheriff's Office looks to hire 10 deputies

Sheriff's Office will need time to train 10 new deputies financed by budget increase.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Thomas Luzier
  • October 23, 2019
My View: Time for a reality check on Selby

Not in my backyard opposition to master plan has played out to an extreme.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Neighbors Danny Chappell and Ron Hunniford look at a map of the site on which Manatee Ranches wants to place a "country store." They say the site, behind them, should not be developed commercially.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 23, 2019
Intersection site proposed for development in Myakka area

Land owner seeks approvals for commercial development near CR 675/S.R. 70 intersection.

  • East County
  • News
Gene Witt Elementary Principal David Marshall
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 23, 2019
Gene Witt Elementary renovation put on pause

Gene Witt Elementary School renovations on hold as School Board of Manatee County member approaches state about replacement.

  • East County
  • News
Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione says growth in tourism will come from a hotel and expansion of the existing convention center, as well as tourism in East County.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 23, 2019
Lakewood Ranch area future of tourism growth in Manatee County?

Lakewood Ranch area future of tourism growth in Manatee County?

  • East County
  • News
Fairfield resident Brian Dunne stand at the center of his community, where the pool and mailboxes are located. Behind him is an unobstructed skyline. He and others worry about the visual impact a five-story building could have.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 23, 2019
Fairfield residents oppose planned five-story building in Manatee County

Fairfield residents worry about views, traffic with proposed Bradenton plaza changes.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 23, 2019
Sarasota County School Board must leave a positive legacy

Superintendent Todd Bowden’s handling of the sexual harassment charges against the district COO demonstrates he is not a good fit, nor fit for the job.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
The Sarasota Orchestra announced last year it planned to move out of the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center, but it has not yet selected a location to build a new concert hall.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 22, 2019
City renews conversation about Sarasota Orchestra venue

After the City Commission rejected a proposal to build a concert hall at Payne Park, some city officials want to reiterate their support for retaining the orchestra.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kylo Phillips, 3, tries on a pair of vision impairment goggles.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • October 22, 2019
Mobility Challenge takes over Selby Library

Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center celebrated White Cane Safety Day with Mobility Challenge Without Sight on Oct. 19.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
After removing hundreds of Australian pines from John Ringling Causeway, the city will create a wider path between St. Armands Circle and the Coon Key Bridge.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 22, 2019
Work set to begin on Coon Key trail

After some St. Armands merchants expressed concern about the timing of the project, the city is attempting to accelerate a portion of the construction.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Caitlin Loewe and Kat Grimmett pick flowers.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • October 22, 2019
Sarasota schools celebrate farm to school month

Farm to School is an initiative from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 22, 2019
Report of the Independent Investigation of Cheraina Bonner's Complaints

Prepared for Sarasota County School Board Oct. 16.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Bradenton's Nadine O'Connor won the first Bingo game of the night to claim a designer purse.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 21, 2019
Bingo calls Sisters to action

Sisterhood for Good hosts Designer Bag Bingo in Lakewood Ranch to raise money for charity.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Whitehouses have been volunteering at the Phillippi Farmhouse Market for a collective 17 years. Fred, who is the market manager, has been there for 11 years and Grace, who runs the welcome tent, has volunteered there for six.Â
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • October 21, 2019
Sarasota couple awarded Florida voluntary service award

The Whitehouses have volunteered at the Phillippi Farmhouse market for a collective 17 years.

  • Sarasota
  • News
One of the topics likely appear on the survey is a question about the possibility of someday eliminating the county border that splits the town between Manatee and Sarasota counties.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 21, 2019
One-county question likely on town's citizen survey

Residents will be asked about key issues, customer service in early 2020.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 21, 2019
Impasse-settlement hearing planned for Nov. 20

Retirement system is main sticking point in police contract talks.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • October 21, 2019
Slime squishes its way into Sarasota

The first-ever Slime Festival took place at Robarts Arena on Oct. 19.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Sararsota Farmers Market has been operating north of Main Street as the city and private developer worked on construction projects to the south.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 21, 2019
Sarasota Farmers Market returns to South Lemon

The market is moving back to its old location along Lemon and State Street after a period of construction caused it to temporarily relocate to the north.

  • Sarasota
  • News
To Sarasota students, this artwork is what health looks like.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • October 21, 2019
Students’ art takes top prizes

Sarasota students participated in a Southwest Florida wide art contest.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch ponds are used to collect stormwater runoff.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 21, 2019
Manatee County schedules stormwater informational meetings

Manatee County schedules stormwater informational meetings in Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
Five beach hot spots are targeted for renourishment in the next five years.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 21, 2019
Town presses ahead with beach-borrowing ballot issue

Commissioners would formally discuss, take first of two votes in early November on language.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Alex Peric poses with Gilly the shark.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 21, 2019
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium holds scary fun Halloween event

The annual event brought out the creative costumes and scientific minds.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Tom and Barbara Gardner.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 21, 2019
Bird Key Yacht Club parties on despite rain

Members of the club still got together for an evening celebration — indoors.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Woman in White (Yvonne Clark) was a haunting figure during The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 20, 2019
Headless Horseman arrives day late in Lakewood Ranch

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow has a successful run a day late at the Sarasota Polo Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Town Hall is located at 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 20, 2019
Suncoast Blood Bank to host Lakewood Ranch blood drive

The event will be Oct. 21 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.

  • East County
  • News
Adding to the north end of the basketball court would allow that area to accommodate two new pickleball courts and a half-court for basketball.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 20, 2019
Longboat leaders working to solve dilemma of how to expand pickleball on island

Options include several variations that could cut into other popular amenities.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 20, 2019
Runners triumph at First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon

The event made adjustments in light of the rainy weekend, but carried on strong.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Thousands enjoy the corn maze during the 2018 Hunsader Farms' Pumpkin Festival. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 19, 2019
Hunsader Farms cancels Pumpkin Festival due to rainfall

Hunsader Farms' cancels Pumpkin Festival due to rain

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 18, 2019
Mustangs football gets rain-soaked victory over Dixie Hollins

The weather made things sloppy, but Lakewood Ranch's defense held firm.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 18, 2019
Lakewood Ranch Block Party & Club Day draws huge crowd

Lakewood Ranch Block Party and Club Day offers residents a look at communities to live in, clubs to join and businesses around the area.

  • East County
  • News
Children enjoy a train ride during the 2017 Pumpkin Festival. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 18, 2019
Inclement weather forces changes to Sarasota, Manatee county events

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival and 'Legends of Sleepy Hollow' all modify schedules.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

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Amanda Parrish is serving as the EDC's interim CEO, and Elizabeth Cordes is the director of business recruitment and expansion.
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Drugs, cash and a rifle bullet were among the items found by Sarasota Police in a search of a 31st Way home, resulting in the arrest of Demarius R. Jones, of Sarasota.
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